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    Prevention Guidelines

    Health Screening Guidelines for Women 40 to 49

    A screening test is done to find possible health problems or diseases in people who don't have any symptoms. The goal is to find a disease early so lifestyle changes can be made and you can be watched more closely to lower the risk of disease, or to find it early enough to treat it most effectively. Screening tests are not diagnostic. But they are used to find out if more testing is needed. Health counseling is vital, too. This plan does not include recommendations for pregnancy. You and your healthcare provider may decide that a different schedule is best for you. Major health groups may vary in their advice. But this plan can guide your discussion.

    Screening

    Who needs it

    How often

    Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes

    All adults starting at age 35 and adults with no symptoms at any age who are overweight or obese and have 1 or more additional risk factors for diabetes

    At least every 3 years

    Alcohol misuse

    All adults

    At routine exams

    Blood pressure

    All adults

    Yearly checkup if your blood pressure is normal.

    Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg.

    If your blood pressure reading is higher than normal, follow the advice of your healthcare provider.

    Breast cancer

    All women at average risk in this age group. Expert groups vary on their advice. Talk with your provider about your specific situation.

     

    Talk with your healthcare provider to help you decide when to start screening with a mammogram.

    • The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends mammograms every other year starting at age 40.

    • The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that women ages 40 to 44 have the choice to start yearly mammograms. ACS recommends that women ages 45 to 54 have yearly mammograms.

     

    All women should know how their breasts normally look and feel. They should know the benefits and risks of breast cancer screening with mammograms.

    Cervical cancer

    All women, except those who had a hysterectomy (with removal of the cervix) for reasons not related to cervical cancer and no history of cervical cancer or serious precancer

    Women between ages 30 and 65 may choose any of the following test approaches:

    • Pap test plus an HPV test (called "co-testing") every 5 years

    • Pap test alone every 3 years

    • Primary HPV testing every 5 years

     

    Colorectal cancer

    Women of average risk ages 45 years and older

    Several tests are available and used at different times.

    Tests that find polyps and cancer include:

    • Colonoscopy every 10 years (recommended)

    • Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or

    • CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years

    Tests that primarily find cancer include:

    • Yearly fecal occult blood test, or

    • Yearly fecal immunochemical test every year, or

    • Stool fecal immunochemical test with DNA test, every 3 years

    You will need a follow-up colonoscopy if you choose any test other than a colonoscopy and you have an abnormal result. Screening recommendations vary among expert groups. Talk with your healthcare provider about which test is best for you.

    Some people should be screened using a different schedule because of their personal or family history. Talk with your provider about your health history and what colorectal cancer screening schedule is best for you.

    Chlamydia

    Women at a higher risk for infection

    At routine exams if at risk

    Depression

    All adults in clinical practices that have staff and systems in place to assure accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and follow-up

    At routine exams

    Gonorrhea

    Sexually active women at a higher risk for infection

    At routine exams if at risk

    Hepatitis C

    Adults at a higher risk; 1 time for those born between 1945 and 1965

    At routine exams if at risk

    HIV

    All women

    At routine exams

    Lipid disorders

    All women age 45 and older at a higher risk for coronary artery disease

    For women ages 19 to 44, screening should be based on risk factors; talk with your healthcare provider

    At least every 5 years

    Obesity

    All adults

    At routine checkups

    Syphilis

    Women at a higher risk for infection

    At routine exams if at risk

    Tuberculosis

    Adults at a higher risk for infection

    Check with your healthcare provider.

    Vision

    All adults

    Baseline comprehensive exam at age 40; if you have a chronic disease, check with your healthcare provider for exam frequency.

    Counseling

    Who needs it

    How often

    Breast cancer, chemoprevention

    Women at high risk

    When risk is identified

    BRCA mutation testing for breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility

    Women with a higher risk

    When risk is identified

    Diet and exercise

    Adults who are overweight or obese

    When diagnosed and at routine exams

    Intimate partner violence

    Women of child-bearing age and older women with a higher risk

    At routine exams

    Sexually transmitted infection prevention

    Adults at a higher risk for infection

    At routine exams

    Tobacco use and tobacco-related disease

    All adults

    Every exam

    Online Medical Reviewer: Heather M Trevino BSN RNC
    Online Medical Reviewer: L Renee Watson MSN RN
    Online Medical Reviewer: Rita Sather RN
    Date Last Reviewed: 1/1/2024
    © 2000-2025 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
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    Southern New Mexico
    Surgery Center

    2301 Indian Wells Rd. Suite B
    Alamogordo, NM 88310
    www.snmsc.org

    Phone: 575.437.0890
    Fax: 575.437.0905
    Email: info@snmsc.org

    Disclaimer